Things Unseen by C. J. Brightley

Author:C. J. Brightley [Brightley, C. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CJ Brightley
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Why did he leave his sword with you?”

He said in case it went badly, I’d need a blade. Niall kept his eyes on the notebook, refusing to look up at her. I think he should have taken it.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s tough and smart.”

He’s only fighting because of me. If he hadn’t rescued me, he would have given up. After a long period of thought, he added, I did not expect this success with Gabriel. Perhaps there is hope after all.

“I think he knew exactly what he was doing.”

He twisted his mouth in an expression she couldn’t read.

Hours passed. Finally, even Niall grew tired of their cramped room, and he and Aria wandered out into the theater. Conversations hushed, then slowly resumed. A woman waved to her from a small knot of men and women sitting on the floor near one wall, and Aria led the way toward her.

It was the fierce looking woman Aria had seen earlier. This time she smiled and seemed friendlier. “I’m Evrial. If you want to eat with us, you’re welcome.”

“Thanks.” Aria tried to smile. “I’m Aria. This is Niall.”

“Your friend. He can really handle that thing?” She gazed at Aria with a mixture of skepticism, curiosity, and awe.

Aria forced herself to nod. “He’s a little worse for wear right now. But I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Niall frowned more deeply. He carried Owen’s sword with him, unwilling to put it down, and clutched a notebook under one arm.

“I’m a squad leader for the mission he’s leading next week. Do you know what he’s planning?” She gestured. “This is my squad. Bartok, Levi, Jenison, and Malachi.”

The men all nodded politely, eyeing Aria and Niall with obvious curiosity.

“Not really.” She wasn’t sure how much she should share. “I assume it’s a rescue mission.”

Niall wrote quickly and turned the notebook toward Evrial. We believe Eastborn does not have the advanced sensors to detect our blood. Our chances of success are greater, and if we succeed, it could be important. Also, we have family there.

Evrial eyed him. “Can you not talk?”

He shook his head but did not explain.

“How many are in the Resistance?” Aria looked around. “This is impressive…” Her voice trailed away. “But the Empire seems really powerful.”

“It is,” Bartok agreed. He was a little younger than the others, perhaps in his early thirties, his light brown hair prematurely sprinkled with gray. Despite his wiry, athletic figure, his eyes seemed kind and gentle. “We have a safe haven outside the city. A few women and children who escaped the trackers are there. We could take you.”

Evrial smiled gently. “What he means is, you don’t look like a fighter.”

Aria frowned, and Evrial waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t be offended. I think we’d all prefer to be back in our old jobs. I was Army, but I was logistical corps. I didn’t actually go on ops much.”

Levi snorted. “You wouldn’t know it. She might have been a drill sergeant in her former life.”

Aria smiled. “And what were you?”

“I owned a dry cleaning business.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.